That is an excellent video. Thanks for sharing! It really shows what a momentous period in time this is for Denver and how lucky we are to be able to see Union Station return to a glorious, bustling transportation hub.

The new light rail station opens on Monday, 8/15/11. The streets surrounding the new station have been reconstructed. The plaza next to the light rail station still needs work. Overall, the project is about 45% complete.

DenverInfill is now up to Union Station Update #82. We have two posts today; one from early this morning, and the second from the grand opening celebration a few hours later. Our second post includes four videos. Enjoy!

May 2013: West Corridor light rail opens, linking Union Station with west-central Denver and the western suburbs of Lakewood and Golden.

Spring 2014: The rest of the Union Station Transit Center project is completed, including the underground Regional Bus Terminal (22 gates), the Commuter Rail Station (8 platforms), the Commuter Bicycle Station, several private-sector buildings (specifically the North and South "Wing" Buildings), the restoration of the historic train station, the launch of the Downtown Circulator (free shuttle system along 18th/19th Streets--complement to the 16th Street Mall), and all the public plazas and many other finishing touches. AMTRAK moves back to Union Station.

Early 2016: First Commuter Rail line opens ("A" Line) linking Denver International Airport to Union Station

I consider myself one who was really annoyed at the LRT platforms being so far away from Union Station itself, but I think RTD did a really nice job with the station. Excellent, in fact!

Aaron (Glowrock)

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"The three most beautiful cities in the world are Paris, St. Petersburg & Pittsburgh. If Pittsburgh were situated somewhere in the heart of Europe tourists would eagerly journey hundreds of miles out of their way to visit it." The New Yorker Jan. 9, 1989

I consider myself one who was really annoyed at the LRT platforms being so far away from Union Station itself, but I think RTD did a really nice job with the station. Excellent, in fact!

Aaron (Glowrock)

Most of the time in human history, worker bees have had to go out and do the grunt work for the more fortunate.

In Denver, like in so many places and in various times, great mistakes in planning were made by those with money, power, and opportunity. Self-interest, ego, the same old eternal stuff did it's damage here as so often happens....

But, those at RTD who toiled endlessly to forge a compromise that those with the power would accept, the local and state politicians who labored hard to get funding, the architects called in to work with this property lay out as it was, the lowly designers who carefully crafted details, the contractors who worked tirelessly with their subcontractor teams, the subcontractors who managed the hard hats,, and, the hard hats who did the physical work are to be commended for doing a great job.

I took the light rail from DUS light yesterday and the exit west from DUS was....cool.

Congrats everybody!

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Good read on relationship between increasing number of freeway lanes and traffic

Here's a shot from the webcam, of the new Denver Union Station Light Rail Terminal, in operation.
As you can see, there are currently 3-car LRT trains in operation.
However, soon, RTD will begin using 4-car LRT trains (as noted by the platform length).
You can also clearly see the operation of the free 16th Street Mall Shuttle transfer station.
Work is now shifting to the construction of the other end of the underground Bus Terminal
and then the Commuter Rail Terminal.

RTD and the Denver Union Station in August 2011. (The Denver Post | RJ Sangosti)ARVADA, Colo.—U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has signed an agreement committing $1.03 billion in federal funds for two planned light rail lines in Denver.
One line will link downtown to Denver International Airport. The other will link downtown to the northwest suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge.

The $1.03 billion award that LaHood announced Wednesday is the last piece of funding needed for the $2.1 billion Eagle P3 project, which includes both light rail lines and is part of the FasTracks program to expand transit in the Denver area. Local funds and privately arranged financing are funding the rest of Eagle P3.

The announcement comes as President Barack Obama is making a push for spending on infrastructure as a way of keeping construction employees at work.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was in Colorado on Wednesday to announce $1.03 billion in federal funds for two planned light rail lines in Denver.

One line will link downtown to Denver International Airport, and the other will link downtown to the northwest suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge. Both are scheduled to be ready for service in 2016.

The $1.03 billion federal award is the last piece of funding needed for the $2.1 billion Eagle P3 project, which includes both light rail lines and is part of the Regional Transportation District's FasTracks program to expand transit in the Denver area. Local funds and privately arranged financing are funding the rest of Eagle P3.

Among those expected to attend the announcement Wednesday were Federal Transit Administration Administrator Peter Rogoff, along with Gov. John Hickenlooper and Reps. Diana DeGette​ and Ed Perlmutter.

President Barack Obama made a push Wednesday for spending on transportation projects and other infrastructure as a way of keeping construction employees at work. A jobs plan that he plans to reveal to a joint session of Congress next week is expected to include proposals for infrastructure spending.

Costs for the overall FasTracks project are estimated at about $6.8 billion, or about $2 billion more than what had been presented to voters in 2004. RTD officials have blamed the increase in part on rising costs for material, labor and rights of way, and some changes in project plans. Meanwhile sales tax revenues to support FasTracks have been lower than expected.

The district's board has decided to wait until at least 2012 to ask voters in the eight-county district to approve a sales tax increase to help fund FasTracks. However, district officials have said a tax increase will be needed soon if FasTracks is to be completed by 2020. Otherwise, the district has said, it won't be fully completed until 2042.

Watch live stream of the Full Funding Grant Agreement signing ceremony and the Gold Line Groundbreaking here on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

DENVER – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today signed an agreement committing $1 billion to Denver’s Eagle P3, a 30-mile two-pronged commuter rail project that will significantly expand transportation choices in the greater Denver area, create jobs and cut by nearly half the amount of time it now takes to get from downtown Denver to the airport.

Secretary LaHood signed the funding agreement at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Gold Line in Olde Town Arvada today, alongside Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter, U.S. Representative Diana DeGette, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and other area officials.

“Through the Eagle P3 project, the Obama Administration and the Denver Regional Transportation District are putting greater Denver on a smart path to sustainable growth, while generating thousands of good local jobs,” said Secretary LaHood. “Eagle P3 provides Denver with transportation choices that reduce congestion, promote clean air and reduce our nation’s dependence on costly oil.”

The Denver Regional Transit District (RTD) is the first transit agency in the nation to successfully pursue a comprehensive public-private partnership, or P3, that encompasses the design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of its regional transit projects. The federal funding agreement covers roughly half of the $2 billion cost of the entire project, which is expected to generate roughly 4,700 construction-related jobs in the Denver metro area.

The federal funding agreement clears the way for construction to begin on the western segment of Eagle P3, also known as the Gold Line, which will serve the suburbs of Arvada and Wheat Ridge. The East Line of Eagle P3, which has already begun construction using local funds, will run from Denver’s historic Union Station nearly 23 miles east to Denver International Airport and will connect to existing light rail and bus service.

“Denver and its suburbs are executing one of the most ambitious and far-reaching public transportation programs in the country—one that will allow millions of Coloradans to enjoy new and improved access to transit right in their neighborhoods,” Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff said. “This will give working families more reliable, affordable transportation that will allow them to spend more time at home and less money at the gas pump."

The Eagle P3 project and Denver Union Station’s ongoing renovation are part of RTD’s far-reaching FasTracks program, a voter-approved, multi-year, multibillion-dollar transit expansion program covering 140 miles of rail and bus corridors that will help Denver to successfully manage growth and compete for business for years to come.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is the major federal funder through a combination of grants and loans. A consortium of private companies, known as the Denver Transit Partners, is responsible for financing the rest through tax-exempt private-activity bonds issued by RTD and other means.

To ensure that Denver’s citizens participate as fully as possible in the jobs created by this work, the FTA recently awarded nearly half a million dollars towards the innovative Denver Regional Workforce Initiative Now. The effort brings local transportation, education, and business leaders together to train, hire, develop and retain transit workers eager to work on Denver’s federally-funded transportation infrastructure projects.

The entire project is slated for completion in 2016. The new railcars slated for use on the commuter line will be assembled in the United States and will consist of at least 60 percent US-made components, consistent with the Administration’s Buy America requirements.

Top federal transportation officials signed a commitment Wednesday to provide $1 billion for key RTD FasTracks train lines, and some participants at the signing ceremony took up the challenge of addressing FasTracks' $2.5 billion funding gap.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood extolled the project — an RTD-led public-private partnership known as Eagle.
"This project we are funding will be a model for the country and maybe for the world," LaHood said.
Federal Transit Administration chief Peter Rogoff, who also spoke at the ceremony, said the Regional Transportation District is the only transit agency in the country to have such a public-private venture still active under a program originated by the FTA.
"When it comes to private-sector involvement in transportation, Denver is the model," Rogoff said, noting private investment in the Eagle partnership totals "hundreds of millions" of dollars...

...Asked after the signing ceremony whether the FTA might financially support the unfunded lines, LaHood said: "What you see here today is a level of support, enthusiasm and energy for a project that is going to happen, that is going to be finished, and I have no doubt . . . the gap will be closed."...

The pieces of equipment in the photo above are building caissons for the train bridges that will be part of the roof of the bus terminal. (I had to look up the definition of a caisson.) There will be eight sets of tracks (Amtrak, Ski Train, commuter rail) requiring four bridges. As we know, trains can be pretty heavy so the bridges will require deep, sturdy foundations. Therefore, the caissons.

The hotel proposed for Denver Union Station would generate over $22 million more in revenue for RTD than the competing plan with a proposed market, but many say it would not create the public space envisioned for the historic building...

...Union Station Alliance, led by Sage Hospitality's Walter Isenberg and longtime Lower Downtown developer Dana Crawford, wants to spend $48 million transforming the historic building into a hotel with the train room serving as the lobby. The project would have local and national tenants, with everything from quick-service restaurants to gourmet grab-and-go and a 24-hour diner serving travelers passing through the station...

...In addition to the market, which would be operated by a single local company, Union Station Neighborhood Co.'s proposal features the Terminal Bar at the current Amtrak ticket window, and cafes and office space on the second and third floors, including an incubator for "creative class" businesses...

...The other issue, Falcone said, is that a hotel lobby would not be able to handle the volume of passengers expected to move through the station, which will serve as a multi modal transit hub. RTD anticipates 100,000 passengers a day will move through Union Station. By comparison, Denver International Airport handles about 140,000 travelers a day.

"What better way to preserve the building than using it for what it was originally intended to be," Falcone said...
..."This building is the gateway and iconic representation of the (FasTracks) project, and it needs to be active and it needs to be fun," said Bill Mosher, senior managing director and principal of Trammell Crow, who is representing the Denver Union Station Project Authority. "Having the public place being primarily the train hall and having active uses in the wing buildings on the main floor is critical. I think both proposals do that in different ways."...

The Regional Transportation District​ (RTD) celebrated a major milestone for the FasTracks program on August 26th, 2010 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the East Corridor commuter rail line between Denver Union Station and Denver International Airport. (DP | HELEN H. RICHARDSON)

RTD and Denver have struck a tentative deal to collectively spend about $75 million making improvements to the Denver International Airport commuter-train corridor, including track upgrades that should facilitate the addition of one or two additional rail stations in the Peña Boulevard right of way.

The Regional Transportation District's current plan for the $1.1 billion airport train does not include a station at East 62nd Avenue and Peña, or along East 72nd Avenue just east of Tower Road.

Private developers who own land at both locations, and city and airport officials, have been working with RTD to ensure that the airport train line is built in a way that would most easily and economically accommodate the addition of one or both stations.

The 72nd Avenue station site is close to where a possible 1,500-room Gaylord hotel complex may be located, as well as property being considered as a relocation site for the National Western Stock Show...

A proposal from Denver Mayor Michael Hancock to the Regional Transportation District .. would help pay for double-tracking about a mile of the FasTracks East rail line to Denver International Airport, allowing a new station to be added to the line sometime in the future.

“These improvements will facilitate the timely construction of the Eagle project and will enhance the safety of the people who live and work in the Gateway region,” Hancock said in a recent letter to RTD board chairman Lee Kemp.

“The improvements outlined in this proposal total $75 million. The city will provide RTD with $57 million in upfront funding, $27 million of which will be repaid pursuant to the terms outlined above,” Hancock said.

The proposal must be approved by Denver’s city council and RTD’s board of directors...

Denver officials have reached a settlement with Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and his design firm that will allow Denver International Airport to use most of the work Calatrava performed on the airport's South Terminal project, officials said today.

In a briefing to Denver city council members, DIA Manager Kim Day and city attorneys said the agreement calls for the airport to pay Calatrava's remaining invoices on his design work, totaling about $543,000, and a $250,000 licensing fee that will allow DIA to use the bulk of the architect's drawings submitted so far.

In September, Calatrava representatives said the designer and his firm, Festina Lente, were pulling out of the $500 million South Terminal project because of disagreements with the venture's program manager, Parsons Transportation Group, and Festina Lente's lack of faith in the project's budget and timetable.

The project includes a train station at the south end of DIA's terminal for RTD's FasTracks train to the airport; a public plaza extending from the terminal's fifth level, and a 500-room Westin hotel atop the plaza and train station...

My apologies in advance that I haven’t kept everyone up to date on progress along the West Corridor. However, that will change starting now. It’s time for our second West Corridor update. For comparison sake, you can find last year’s updates from DenverInfill here (keep in mind there are 3 updates – scroll down to find them all). We’ll focus on the major components (stations, bridges, tunnels, etc.) of the $700 million light rail corridor that will open in May 2013. As with the last update, we’ll start at the Auraria West Station and work our way west towards the end-of-line station at the Jefferson County Government Center.

As a sign of progress as we move closer to the completion of the West Corridor, RTD opened a relocated Auraria West Station at the end of October. RTD had to move the station in order to allow trains coming in from and going out along the West Corridor could make their way into Union Station along the existing Central Platte Valley (CPV) Spur. The station was moved about 300 feet from its previous location on the east side of 5th Street outside the Auraria Campus Administrative Building to the west side of 5th Street behind the Printing and Distribution Center near parking lot A...

Denver's Union Station is due for a remarkable facelift that will help it serve the region as well — or better — in coming decades as during its heyday in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After looking at competing plans that envision the station as the hub of the multibillion-dollar FasTracks regional transit system, the question for those deciding its fate is simple: Does it need a nip and a tuck or major surgery?

Our view is that the patient is not in need of an extreme makeover and that the $22 million plan to activate the building presented by the Union Station Neighborhood Co. is the most sensible moving forward.

The Union Station Alliance, led by Sage Hospitality, has developed a competing, $48 million plan that is centered around building a 130-room hotel within the existing building.

Regional Transportation District​ staffers on Tuesday are expected to select one of the proposals and then negotiate with the developer in order to bring a plan to the RTD board for final approval early next year.

Each of the teams drew some of the city's boldest thinkers. Both can point to numerous projects that are civic treasures here and elsewhere.

But the Union Station Neighborhood plan impresses us for its ability to improve the building for its primary use while keeping it nimble enough to change as circumstances warrant. It enlivens but does little to encroach upon the great train room, keeping it as the centerpiece of a building designed for transit riders. Among other improvements, the plan includes a market/food emporium in the south wing, a destination restaurant for the north wing and would turn the upper floors into offices billed as incubators for the creative class.

Having looked at the details, it's fair to say the plan understands the building's bone structure and promises little trauma.

Sage Hospitality and other players on the Alliance team have developed wonderful projects in Denver and elsewhere. Theirs would be a great plan if the building needed to be adapted for a new purpose. It doesn't.

Much like the other proposal, it envisions restaurant and retail space in the north and south wings. But construction of a mezzanine level stretching across the building's western wall and the addition of rooms to the current attic, we believe, are too drastic for a historic gem that needs to be polished, not chiseled.

It has financial advantages, but not enough to dissuade us from thinking that the most important issue is development of a station to best serve riders on the buses that currently use Market Street Station and passengers on commuter rail and Amtrak trains.

Union Station Neighborhood Co., which is the master developer for the entire area surrounding the station, understands the mass of travelers who will be moving through the area in coming years — as many as 103,000 travelers per day, or 200,000 trips, by 2030.

Wow, I really have to say KUDOS to Denver. They're being VERY forward thinking with this. I think you will considerable mode sharing and split as this goes along. This could be as seminal as when the DC Metro first REALLY came of age.

Best not break the bank just yet with Union Station ambitions.

I think people may underestimate how big a change the area will see once all the lines are up and running. You want Union Station to able to handle the most amount of people. Not saying you can't have some auxiliary business there. But don't go crazy. Having a hotel there would be good for raking in dough, but would probably alienate commuters more than necessary.